Saint Mary's beacon., 1887-07-14


inside the house, he proceeded to make
minute statement Of the location of
nearly every article of value Mr.
Clithers possessed. The latter was
perfectly astounded. There could be
no denying the gift of this man. He
declared Mr.. Clithers was the best
subject he had ever operated on,
adding that he had a remarkable
brain cell organism. In fact, he had
Mr. Clithers blushing with pleasure
and the audience IN high good humor,
when the town clock struck eleven.
He was apologizing for the lateness of
the hour when q sudden hustle be.
came manifest at the door of the hall.
Some one was trying to force an
entrance. the ushers interposing. A
harsh, gruf voice said something in a
low tone, and then a passage was
made. The audience turning around
to ascertain the cause, heard a muir.
muir of law and officers as two
burly men advanced toward the plat.
form. A couple of silly women
shrieked. All eyes i.stinctively
turned to the platform. Mr.. Cardi.
nall had retreated to the rear. A
fearful frown was on his brow and
ne was biting his nails convulsively.
Don't be alarmed, said one of the
intruders. i make no doubt you
have had a nice evening of it, he's SO
very funny'-pointing his finger at
the mind-reader-'when he gets start
ed. But he's lunatic, just the same.
"A lunaticl crazy came in a
chorus. Some of the woman rose
hastily and attempted to 60 out.
You'd better all keep still,' con-
tlnued the man. He takes queer no.
tions and if he saw you all going out,
he might think there was a fire and
get very violent, and maybe kill some
one.
Come, come, angrily remarked Mr..
Clithers, loath to give up his idol,
are you sure you're not making a
mistake? Say, Mr.. CARDINAL are you
crazy?'
Whereat both men burst into very
loud laughter.
why, look at him, said the first
spokesman; and indeed he did not
appear sane. His eyes were flashing
vindictively at the audience, and
moving right and left as though look.
ing for a chance to run.
oh, he'd deceived a smarter man
than you. continued the keeper, for
that is what he evidently was. You
see he's got mind-reading on the brain.
He's been that way these FIVE years.
He got away from the State Asylum
six weeks ago, and we've been after
him ever since. Here's our papers.
But everybody was so disgusted at
this turn, the affairs had taken, that
no one cared to examine the papers;
they were only anxious that the
lunatic should be got rid of. Some
dropped an anxious word that the
keepers might have difficulty in taking
him off.
Never you fear. chuckled one oi
them. We know our man. And SO
saying, he walked to the edge of the
platform, and drawing from his pocket
large luscious pear. held it up for
Mr.. CARDINAL to see. That worthy
glanced at it and turned away bis
head. Still it dangled there aud dc
what he could, his gaze returned to it.
Greed sparkled in bis eyes. Finally
he shook his head. The keeper said
| 'Ce.As2' II. -L-.L L:- L--l -o-:-,
Then from his other pocket the keep
er drew another pear and held it uE
also. The poor mind-reader fixed hi
eyes on them.
'Both? :? he cried.
Yes both of EN-, if you'll come
quietly replied the keeper.
And can I eat one now? with I
comical assumption of shrewdness.
You shall have them both, now,
asserted the keeper. The victory wa
complete. With q formidable grin
the lunatic came forward, steppet
from the platform. and calmly left th'
hall, demolishing his pear. and occa
sionally looking at his other prize il
exultation.
At the door Of the hall a carrisg
stood, loaded with trunks; and tn
crowd who had rushed to the doc
saw two bags lying in the inside Q
the carriage. Mr.. CARDINAL and hi
} keepers entered, and the carriag
rolled away. It would be useless I
report the Babel Of tongues that the
found expression among the audienes
It was the strangest experience tina
they had ever met with. and the IN